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wheat-procurement-to-begin-in-punjab-from-april-1
IndiaMar 31, 2025

Wheat Procurement to Begin in Punjab from April 1

Wheat procurement in Punjab markets will commence tomorrow, April 1. The Punjab government has secured a cash credit limit of ₹28,000 crore for the process. As per government assurances, payments to farmers will be transferred to their accounts within 24 hours. This year, the Central Government has set the minimum support price (MSP) for wheat at ₹2,425 per quintal. Additionally, the Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan governments have announced bonus payments of ₹175 per quintal and ₹150 per quintal, respectively, in addition to the MSP.
eight-associates-of-amritpal-singh-sent-to-14-day-judicial-custody
IndiaMar 28, 2025

Eight Associates of Amritpal Singh Sent to 14-Day Judicial Custody

After the police remand of eight associates of MP Amritpal Singh from Khadoor Sahib, Punjab, ended today, the Ajnala court sent them to 14-day judicial custody until April 11. The individuals sent to custody include Basant Singh, Bhagwant Singh Bajeke, Gurmeet Singh, Sarabjit Singh Kalsi, Gurinderpal Singh, Harjit Singh, Kulwant Singh, and Amanpreet Singh Amna. A case has been registered against all of them in connection with the attack on the Ajnala police station. On February 23, 2023, a large group of people, led by Bhai Amritpal Singh, broke through police barricades and entered the Ajnal
supreme-court-calls-jagjit-singh-dallewal-a-true-farmer-leader
IndiaMar 28, 2025

Supreme Court Calls Jagjit Singh Dallewal a ‘True Farmer Leader’

Punjab farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal has ended his hunger strike after 123 days, according to the state government during a hearing on the farmers' issue in the Supreme Court. Punjab government Advocate General Gurminder Singh informed the top court that Dallewal ended his fast to the death by drinking water today. He had been on hunger strike since November 26. The Supreme Court, while praising Dallewal, referred to him as a true farmer leader who raised the genuine issues of the farming community without any political agenda. The court remarked that it was aware that some individuals
shiromani-gurdwara-parbandhak-committee-approves-rs-1-386-crore-budget
IndiaMar 28, 2025

Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee Approves Rs 1,386 Crore Budget

The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has approved its annual budget of approximately Rs 1,386 crore for the year. Out of this amount, Rs 110 crore has been allocated tp promote religion. During the budget session, Nihang organizations, led by Damdami Taksal chief Baba Harnam Singh Khalsa, staged a protest outside the SGPC headquarters. They were demanding the reinstatement of the Jathedars. Baba Harnam Singh Dhumma issued a statement criticizing the SGPC's approach to the appointment and removal of Jathedars, stating that it goes against Sikh traditions and etiquette. He urged t
shiromani-committees-budget-session-tomorrow-amid-protests
IndiaMar 27, 2025

Shiromani Committee’s Budget Session Tomorrow Amid Protests

The Shiromani Committee’s budget session is scheduled for tomorrow, posing a potentially challenging situation for President Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami. During the session, the issue of the removal of Jathedars is expected to be raised. Meanwhile, Damdami Taksal, in collaboration with Sikh organizations, is planning a peaceful protest near the Shiromani Committee office, demanding the restoration of Jathedars. Damdami Taksal head Baba Harnam Singh Khalsa announced the protest program during a meeting of Sikh organizations in Anandpur Sahib, emphasizing its peaceful nature. Anticipating
khaira-accuses-aap-government-of-burdening-punjab-with-massive-debt
IndiaMar 27, 2025

Khaira Accuses AAP Government of Burdening Punjab with Massive Debt

Punjab Congress MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira from Bholath has accused the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government of burdening Punjab with significant debt in the last three years. Khaira claimed that while Punjab accumulated approximately ₹3 lakh crore in debt over 30 years, the AAP government alone has added ₹1 lakh crore to this figure in just three years. He further alleged that no significant development has taken place during this period, stating that no new infrastructure, hospitals, or roads have been built, and not even a single brick has been laid in the villages of Punjab. Additionally, t
another-associate-of-lok-sabha-mp-amritpal-singh-sent-to-5-day-police-remand
IndiaMar 27, 2025

Another Associate of Lok Sabha MP Amritpal Singh Sent to 5-Day Police Remand

Punjab Police today presented Varinder Singh Fauji, an associate of Lok Sabha member Amritpal Singh from Khadoor Sahib, in the Ajnala local court. Fauji, who was brought from Dibrugarh Jail, has been sent to five-day police remand until April 1. He is implicated in the case related to the attack on the Ajnala police station. On February 23, 2023, associates of Amritpal Singh, led by the head of the Waris Punjab organization, forcibly broke through police barricades and entered the Ajnala police station. Following the incident, the police registered a case. Eight other associates of Amritpal S
punjab-government-plans-to-take-on-rs-49-900-crore-in-new-debt
IndiaMar 27, 2025

Punjab Government Plans to Take on Rs 49,900 Crore in New Debt

The Punjab government is reportedly planning to incur new debt amounting to Rs 49,900 crore, according to recent media reports. Out of the Rs 1.02 lakh crore budget presented by the Bhagwant Mann government for 2025-26, a substantial portion will be allocated to salaries, pensions, electricity subsidies, and loan interest payments. This leaves only Rs 9,067 crore for developmental projects and other expenses. The budget, unveiled yesterday, includes Rs 450 crore for the free bus travel scheme for women, the same allocation as the current financial year. However, the scheme’s actual expendit
sukhbir-singh-badal-criticizes-budget-as-hollow-similar-to-previous-years
IndiaMar 26, 2025

Sukhbir Singh Badal Criticizes Budget as Hollow, Similar to Previous Years

Former Deputy Chief Minister of Punjab and Shiromani Akali Dal leader Sukhbir Singh Badal has criticized the budget presented by the Bhagwant Mann government, calling it a betrayal of the people of Punjab. Badal described the budget as hollow and directionless, similar to those presented by the AAP government in its first three years, claiming it will only worsen the state's debt burden. He warned that Punjab’s debt is set to reach Rs 4.17 lakh crore, with an increase of Rs 1.54 lakh crore during the tenure of the Aam Aadmi Party. Additionally, Badal pointed out that the state government ha

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bank-of-canada-holds-key-interest-rate-at-2-25-as-global-risks-weigh-on-outlook
CanadaApr 29, 2026

Bank of Canada holds key interest rate at 2.25% as global risks weigh on outlook

The Bank of Canada kept its benchmark interest rate unchanged at 2.25 per cent on Wednesday, marking the fourth consecutive decision to hold rates, according to its latest monetary policy report. The central bank also maintained its deposit rate at 2.20 per cent. Governor Tiff Macklem said ongoing conflict in the Middle East and evolving U.S. trade policies are reshaping global trade patterns and adding uncertainty to the economic outlook. According to the bank’s report, the Iran-related tensions have reduced growth prospects in oil-importing countries while contributing to higher inflation
federal-finance-minister-tables-2026-spring-mini-budget-with-focus-on-skilled-trades-training
CanadaApr 29, 2026

Federal finance minister tables 2026 spring mini-budget with focus on skilled trades training

Canada’s Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne tabled the federal government’s 2026 spring mini-budget in the House of Commons, outlining measures aimed at strengthening the national economy and addressing labour shortages in key sectors. According to the government’s budget statement, a new initiative branded “Team Canada Strong” will focus on expanding the skilled trades workforce. The plan sets a target of training 100,000 new skilled trades workers by the 2030–31 fiscal year to help meet demand in housing construction, infrastructure projects and major resource developm
WorldApr 28, 2026

Israel orders evacuations in southern Lebanon villages amid ceasefire violations claims

The Israeli military has ordered residents in more than a dozen villages in southern Lebanon to evacuate immediately, citing safety concerns during an ongoing ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon. According to a statement posted on the social media platform X by Israeli Defence Forces spokesperson Avichay Adraee, civilians in the affected areas were urged to leave without delay. The military said the warning was issued for public safety, alleging that Hezbollah had violated the terms of the ceasefire agreement. The evacuation order comes despite the ceasefire remaining formally in effect. Isra
b-c-attorney-general-urges-ottawa-to-include-ai-chatbots-in-youth-social-media-rules
BCApr 28, 2026

B.C. attorney general urges Ottawa to include AI chatbots in youth social media rules

British Columbia Attorney General Niki Sharma says federal plans to set a minimum age for social media use should explicitly include artificial intelligence chatbots, arguing the rules would be ineffective if such platforms are excluded. In a letter to the federal government, Sharma said tools such as ChatGPT should fall within any regulatory framework aimed at protecting children online. According to her office, the letter cites recent incidents, including a shooting in Tumbler Ridge, and references cases where AI tools were reportedly linked to harmful online behaviour. Sharma said AI system
AlbertaApr 28, 2026

Evacuation alert issued for Draper, Alta., as ice jam raises river levels

An evacuation alert has been issued for the community of Draper in northern Alberta after rising river levels linked to a large ice jam raised concerns about possible flooding. According to a notice from the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo, approximately 140 residents of the unincorporated community have been advised to prepare to leave on short notice. Draper is located along the southern bank of the Clearwater River, about 12 kilometres southeast of Fort McMurray. Officials say a roughly 20-kilometre-long ice jam on the Athabasca River has contributed to a rapid increase in water level